Eagles Fans Jonesing for Another Supe

To be truthful, I am looking forward to another baseball season, especially since my Philadelphia Phillies are the defending World Champions.

But close to my heart is the team that lives across the street from Citizens Bank Park, the Philadelphia Eagles; the National Football League team playing at Lincoln Financial Field.

Calls for a decent wide receiver, the end of Donovan McNabb's career, the loss of free safety Brian Dawkins, and the possible end of the road for two offensive line stalwarts, John Runyan and William "Tra" Thomas, predict doom for the beloved Eagles on Philadelphia talk radio stations and Eagles blogs.

I too, am concerned that this Eagles team has only reached two Super Bowls (both Eagles losses), following the 1980 and 2004 seasons, respectively. I am not satisfied with five NFC championship games in 10 years and only one losing Super Bowl appearance under Andy Reid's tenure.

But I have also been around the block a few times and am old enough to remember Eagles Timmy Brown and Tim Rossovich.

Eagle fan: Settle down. Be patient. It is only March.

The Eagles made their second free-agent signing today when they inked Cleveland strong safety Sean Jones to a one-year deal. Jones is expected to move to strong safety to replace the longtime Eagle favorite Dawkins, who signed a five-year deal (expect it to be one or two years) with the Denver Broncos.

Jones ranks third among safeties behind Ed Reed of Baltimore and Oshiomogho Atogwe of St. Louis with 14 interceptions since 2006. He began the 2008 season by missing the first four games, but played the last 11. He had four interceptions in Cleveland's final six games.

It is not a groundbreaking move, but the Eagles are filling a need.

And don't forget, the Eagles have two first-round draft choices, although they are low picks. They also got a fourth round pick this year when they traded Greg Lewis to New England. I think they will bundle some of their picks to move up or trade for a player. Can you say Lorenzo Booker? I hope it is the former and not the latter.

So, Eagles fans, take a deep breath.

The Eagles may draft a wide receiver in the first four rounds, but they also need help on the offensive and defensive lines and need a fullback. The Eagles staff has not forgotten that the New York Giants held the then potent New England offense to 14 points in the Giants' 2008 Super Bowl win.

Offense puts people in the stands. The Eagles don't have that problem. I can't remember the last time the Eagles didn't sell out a home game. I think it was in the 1980s.

Donovan McNabb, new contract or not, will have to morph into a pocket quarterback. If that happens, with the Eagles or not, he could play six or more seasons. McNabb is 32. A young age for a quarterback. John Elway was 37 when he won his first Super Bowl.

Defense wins championships. A good running game is necessary in the cold weather of November, December, and January.

Significant moves will come on the offensive line, defensive line, and at fullback, hopefully. Period.

Don't expect a stud wide receiver to come to town. Or even a lukewarm one.

Championships are won in November and December. Not March.

Eagles fans, myself included—take a chill pill. Stacy (not Tracy) Andrews and Sean Jones are good starts.